Operations and Maintenance Practices Services
Our consultants spent many years in the industry before transitioning to consulting. As a result, we have firsthand experience with operating and maintaining plants, pipelines, and other hydrocarbon equipment.
This experience has enabled us to provide operations performance improvement advice, offer routine and turnaround maintenance advice, knowledgably assist or lead accident investigations, and understand environmental and regulatory requirements.
We are also skilled in serving as consulting experts and providing expert testimony on industry practices, standards of care, and regulatory compliance.
Refining and Chemicals
Environmental Contamination from Industrial Sites
Evaluated operating and maintenance practices, both current and historical, that led to ground and groundwater contamination at various refinery and chemical plant sites. Provided expert testimony for clients representing both owners and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Analysis of Refinery Performance and Operating Practices
Participated in projects for both domestic and international clients analyzing refinery performance gaps relative to peer refineries that were similar in size and complexity. The completed analyses resulted in target setting or multiple maintenance and operating improvement initiatives aimed at achieving cost savings and gross margin increases. The work involved site visits, employee interviews, final reporting, and presentations to company management.
Refinery Business Interruption and Property Damage
Participated in projects for both domestic and international clients analyzing refinery performance gaps relative to peer refineries that were similar in size and complexity. The completed analyses resulted in target setting for multiple maintenance and operating improvement initiatives aimed at achieving cost savings and gross margin increases. The work involved site visits, employee interviews, final reporting, and presentations to company management.
Refinery Operations & Maintenance Practice Review
Performed a review of the refinery operations and maintenance practices following a refinery shutdown and declaration of force majeure event. Reviewed operations, routine maintenance, turnaround maintenance, and inspection records of major refinery units in an effort to determine whether major mechanical work performed was at all related to the triggering event. Completed an expert report and provided expert testimony in this matter.
Power and Steam Producing Utility Reliability Improvement
Led a team that performed a critical analysis of incidents, operating design, and operating practices for an integrated power plant providing steam and electricity to a major petrochemical complex. Results of the efforts led to modifications in operating practices and equipment redesign that increased production reliability.
Refinery Turnaround Performance Improvement
Led the evaluation of multiple refinery turnarounds on crude, fluid catalytic cracking, coking, and hydrocracking units. Evaluated existing practices and resulting performance relative to the “best” performers in industry. Provided management assistance in setting goals and objectives which targeted significant financial savings and unit availability increases.
Refinery Planning and Economics
Reviewed existing work and communication processes between the refinery and company headquarter personnel. Recommendations included a new LP model platform, structured evaluation methods, standardized schedule and reports, a rolling four-week plan, and hindsight evaluation.
Pipelines
Petroleum Pipeline Failures
Reviewed operation, maintenance, and inspection procedures and relevant history for several pipelines transporting LPG, crude oil or products which suffered failures and subsequent release of their contents and resulted in litigation.